Milk can



May 25, 1943. I, J, B, DEMERS 2,320,174

MILK CAN Filed July 30, 1940 //V V/V T02 ASH/z 5 0:11:23,

Patented May 25, 1943 umrsp snares elathNt-oigrrct:

Isaie .l'. B. Deniers, St. Paul, Minn assi-gnor to John WoodManufacturing Company, Inc, Cbnshohocken, Pa, a corporationof DelawareApplication July 36, 1940, Serial No. 348.363

5 Claims. (01. 22U,58)

It is the object and effect of my invention to provide simple anddurable means for connecting a receptacle for milk or other materialwith a removable closure, whereby, the joint between them may behermetically sealed or instantly opened, by manipulation of a bail leverwhich carries respective crescent shaped cams at its ends in coaxialalinement and forming fulcrums permanently journaled in bearing bracketsfixed on the receptacle. In the form of my invention chosen forillustration, the closure is a cup shaped cover of slightly smallerdiameter than the neck of the can, and having an outwardly turnedannular gasket flange holding an annular gasket adapted to resilientlyengage an annular bead at the top of the can neck. Said cover has a barof metal extending diametrically across it and rigidly connected withthe gasket flange,'conveniently by welding, said bar being bent toU-shape in the portionwhich crosses the open top of the cover so that itmay be conveniently grasped as a handle to lift the cover. The ends ofthe bar are pendent in parallel relation overhanging the gasket flangeand having at their lower extremities respective locking lugs extendingin diametrical relation with respect to the cover in a vertical planecommon to the two lugs so that in one position of the ball the camswhich are-recessed upon one side thereof, parallel-with their axis mayreceive the lugs and, :a

when the bail is turned through'an'arc'of ap= proximately one'hundredand eighty degrees the arc of more than one'hundred and eightydegrees,.until its bowrests upon'the shoulder of the-can, the crescentshaped cams are upturned and lift the locking lugs; inregistry withrespective slits in the tops of their bearings, through which thelocking lugs' may passfreely as the closure cover is applied toorremoved from the can neck by said handle. g I

' My invention includes the various novel features of construction,arrangement and method of operation hereinafter more definitelyspecified. In said drawing, I

Fig. I-is a side elevation of a milk can 'con veniently embodyingmyinvention partly broken away at the top and bottom tdshow theconstruction, thebail lever and cover being in the sealed position withthe bail lever bowresting upon said. stop flange.

Fig. II is a fragmentary elevation of the same side of thecan shown inFig. I, but with the bail lever turned to the position in which the camsrelease the locking lugs, sothat the cover is released a-nd lifted bythe cams, and may be removed from the can by its handle.

Fig. III is a fragmentary vertical diametrical sectional View of the canand its neck and cover taken on the line III, in Fig. I in the directionof the arrow on said line, but on a larger scale, showing the cover insealed position.

Fig. IV is a fragmentary plan view of the cover and its handle bar,showing one of the locking lugs of the latter. In said figures, the canlforms a cylindrical receptacle having a bottom closure 2 with a roundedjunction with the cylindricalshell of the can to facilitate cleaning theinterior of the receptacle. Said receptacle is conveniently reinforcedby the annular band 3 rigidly connected with the cylindrical shell andprojecting downwardly therefrom to withstand the severe wear to l whichsuch cans are subjected. The can neck 4 is conveniently formed ofreduced diameter, at thetop of; the annular cap piece 5, the lower endof which is rigidly connected with the cylindrical shell of the can Saidcap piece 5 forms a shoulder upon which are rigidly mounteddiametrically'opposite handles 6 by which the can may be manipulated,and the top of the neck 4 is provided with an outwardly extendingannular bead '8. The stop flange 9 is rigidly connected at its inner endwith the side of the neck 4 and projects therefrom in aplane which is atright angles to the axis of the can. Two bearing brackets It! arerespectivelyrigidly connected at their lower ends in'diametricallyopposite position'on the shoulder of the cap piece 5. As shown in Fig.III the upper ends of said brackets l0 extendin parallel relation withthe axis of the"c'an,'and1side of the canneck 4 The upper ends of therespective bearing brackets Ill have cylindriformbearings 'l l as shown.in Figs, I and II; with slit'openings l2 'at the top thereof, parallelwith the axis of said bearings. Respective crescent shaped cams I3 whichare rigidly connected in coaxial relation ivith the ends of thebaillever M are journaled in said'bearings II and form fulcrum trunnion-s onthe ends of said bail lever M, by which they may be turned in theirbearings l I from the cover locking position shown in Fig. Ito the coverunlocking position shown in Fig. II.

As shown in Figs. I and III the can closure cover I5 is cup shaped,having a cylindrical portion [6 which is loosely fitted in thecylindrical can neck 4. Said cover has the outwardly turned annulargasket flange I1 holding the resilient gasket l8. The cover handle barI9 is formed of a primarily fiat strip of metal which extendsdiametrically across the open top of the cover l5 and, intermediate'ofits width has its opposite edges bent upwardly, so that the bear is of Ushape so that it may be conveniently grasped by the operator in applyingand removing the cover IS with respect to the can neck 4.

Each of the opposite ends 20 of the cover handle bar I9 is pendentvertically, parallel with the axis of the cover and, is provided with aradially extending locking lug 2|. Said lugs 2i extend in a commonvertical plane. In the position of the bail lever [4 shown in Fig. IIthe crescent shaped cams I3 are turned with their openings upward inregistry with the slits l2 in the bearings I I, so that the closure lidl5 may be uplifted and released and movement of the cams to thatposition not only releases but lifts the closure cover I5 because thethick portions of the cams l3 are forced below the locking lugs 2| inthe bearings I I. On the contrary, in the position shown in Fig. I, thethick portions of the cams l3 are interposed above the lugs 2| in thebearings II to press the cover l5 downwardly. In other words, the cams13 are double ended wedges which when moved in one direction force thecover downward and when moved in the opposite direction force the coverupward.

I find it convenient to extend the cams l3 out-,

wardly from the bail lever l4 into the bearings I I. However, they maybe extended inwardly from the bail if the latter is mounted outside ofsaid bearing brackets l0.

Although I have found it convenient to provide the stop flange 9 tolimit the locking movement of the bail lever 14 so that the thickestportion of'the crescent shaped cams I3 are then presented above thelocking lugs 2|, said stop flange 9 may be omitted. Moreover, although Ihave found it convenient to provide the shoulder of the can with a pairof diametrically opposite handles 6 to facilitate the manipulation ofthe can, those handles may be omitted as it is obvious that if the cancover is secured in closed position as shown in Fig. I, the can and itscontents may be lifted by the cover handle I9, and, if the cover isremoved, the can and its contents may be lifted by the bail lever I4 or,the can and its contents may be lifted with the cover in place by thebail lever l4 upturned to vertical position in which position the coverwould be prevented from removal by the cams I3.

As indicated in Fig. III the lockinglugs 2| are conveniently formed withinner ends of reduced width, indicated at 2|, which are tightly fittedthrough rectangular slots in the ends 20 of the handle bar 19 and areriveted at the inner face of the respective bar end in which they aremounted. However, they may be otherwise constructed and arranged.

Therefore, I do not desire to limit myself to the details ofconstruction, arrangement or method of operation herein set forth as itis obvious that various modifications maybe made therein withoutdeparting from the essential features of my invention, as defined in theappended claims.

I claim:

l. The combination with a milk can comprising a cylindrical body with.an annular top cap forming a shoulder and a cylindrical neck of smallerdiameter having an annular bead at its open end; of two bearingbrackets, having their lower ends rigidly fixed on said shoulder, atrespective diametrically opposite sides of said neck, and their upperends extending in spaced, parallel, relation with the outside of saidneck; cylindrical bearings in the upper ends of said brackets, axiallyalined in diametrical relation to said neck and having respective topslits parallel with their common axis; a bail lever having cylindricalf-ulcrum trunnions at its respectively opposite ends, in coaxialrelation, respectively journaled in said bearings; said trunnions beinghollow and slotted and provided with a single internal cam surfaceformed eccentrically with respect to the cylindrical outer surface;whereby said single internal cam surface effects a clamping down of thecan closure when said bail is moved into position at one side of themilk can neck and the same single internal cam surface effects a liftingup of said can closure when said bail is moved to the opposite side ofsaid milk can neck;

a cup shaped closure for said neck, having an outwardly turned annularflange, to engage said neck bead, and a handle bar fixed on said flangein diametrical position; and looking lugs projecting outwardly at therespectively opposite ends of said bar, adapted to be positioned intothe top slits in said bearings and trunnion slots and be engaged by, andwithin, said cams to clamp said closure down in closed position, whensaid bail lever is turned to clamping position, and to lift and opensaid closure, when said bail lever is turned to unclamping position.

2. The combination with a milk can comprising a cylindrical body with acylindrical neck of smaller diameter; of two bearing brackets, havingtheir lower ends rigidly fixed on the can, at respective diametricallyopposite sides of said neck, and their upper ends extending in spaced,parallel, relation with the outside of said neck; cylindrical bearingsin the upper ends of said brackets, axially alined in diametricalrelation to said neck and having respective slits parallel with theircommon axis; a bail lever having cylindrical fulcrum trunnions at itsrespectively opposite ends, in coaxial relation, respectively journaledin said bearings; said trunnions being hollow and slotted. and providedwith a single internal cam surface formed eccentrically with a handlebar fixed on said cover in diametrical position; and lockinglugsprojecting outwardly at the respectively opposite ends of said bar,adapted t be positioned into the slits in: said bearings and trunnionslots and be engaged by,

' and within, said cams to clamp said closure down in-closed positionwhen said bail lever is turned to clamping position, and to lift andopen said closure, when said bail lever is turned to unclampingposition. Y L

3. The combination with a can comprising a cylindrical body with a neckof smaller diameter; of two bearing brackets, rigidly fixed on said can,at respective diametricallyopposite sides of'said neck, with their upperends extending in spaced relation with the outside of said neck;bearings in the upper ends of said brackets, axially alined indiametrical relation to said neck and having respective slits parallelwith their common axis; a bail lever having fulcrum trunnions at itsrespectively opposite ends, in coaxial relation, respectively journaledin said bearings; said trunnions being hollow and slotted and providedwith a single internal cam surface formed eccentrically with respect tothe cylindrical outer surface; whereby said single internal cam surfaceeffects a clamping down of the can closure when said bail is moved intoposition at one side of the milk can neck and the same single internalcam surface eifects a lifting up of said can closure when said bail ismoved to the opposite side of said milk can neck; a closure cover forsaid neck, having a handle bar fixed on said closure and locking lugsprojecting at the respectively opposite ends of said bar, adapted to bepositioned into the slits in said bearings and trunnion slots and beengaged by, and within, said cams to clamp said closure down in closedposition when said bail lever is turned to clamping position, and tolift and open said closure, when said bail lever is turned to unclampingposition.

4. The combination with a receptacle having a neck; of two bearingsrigidly fixed on said receptacle, at respectively opposite sides of saidneck in spaced relation with the outside of said neck; having respectiveslits parallel with their common axis; a bail lever having fulcrumtrunniOns at its respectively opposite ends, in coaxial relation,respectively journaled in said bearings; said trunnions being hollow andslotted and provided with a single internal cam surface formedeccentrically with respect to the cylindrical outer surface; wherebysaid single internal cam surface effects a clamping down of the canclosure when said bail is moved into position at one side of the milkcan neck and the same single internal cam surface effects a lifting upof said can closure when said bail is moved to the opposite side of saidmilk can neck; a closure cover for said neck, having locking lugsprojecting outwardly at the respectively opposite sides thereof, adaptedto be positioned into the slits in said bearings and trunnion slots andbe engaged by said cams to clamp said closure down in closed positionwhen said bail lever is turned to clamping position, and to lift andopen said closure, when said bail lever is turned to unclampingposition.

5. The combination with a can having an open top; of two bearingsrigidly fixed on said can, at respectively opposite sides thereof;respective slits at the upper parts of said bearings; a bail leverhaving fulcrum trunnions at its opposite ends respectively journaled insaid bearings; said trunnions being hollow and slotted and provided witha single internal cam surface formed eccentrically with respect to thecylindrical outer surface; whereby said single internal cam surfaceeffects a clamping downof the can closure when said bail is moved intoposition at one side of the milk can neck and the same single internalcam surface effects a lifting up of said can closure when said bail ismoved to the opposite side of said milk can neck; a. closure cover forsaid can; locking lugs projecting outwardly at opposite sides of saidcover and adapted to be positioned into the slits in said bearings andtrunnion slots and be engaged by said cams to clamp said closure down inclosed position when said bail lever is turned to clamping position, andto lift up and open said closure, when said bail lever is turned tounclamping position.

ISAIE J. B. DEMERS.

